Strategic Studies of Culture

Strategic Studies of Culture

Evaluating the legal Challenges of Management of the Mosques in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Javad Mahmoudi
Assistant professor of Public Law, Faculty of Literature and Human science, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. Mahmoudi.javad@Sku.ac.ir 0000-0001-7254-8049
10.22083/scsj.2024.474287.1203
Abstract
Detailed abstract
Mosques have always been considered as the main centers of religious gatherings of Muslims and a part of their biological identity. Despite the many researches in this regard, the legal analysis of the challenges of mosques has not been done as it should and maybe not.
Statement of the research problem
In terms of stating the problem, it is worth saying that mosques have been very important as an influential reference on the intellectual direction of the society as well as a powerful player in the political and social arenas in the previous many decades. In the upcoming research, we will focus on how their management challenges are; With the explanation that the internal and external administration of mosques and the type and level of government supervision over them are studied in the light of the laws and regulations and approvals of official institutions as well as some opinions and current judicial processes. According to the author, the way mosques are managed has a direct effect on social credibility and, accordingly, the level of public approval of them. In addition to that, these questions are raised that which of the governmental institutions are influential in which areas of the internal or external management of mosques? What are the practical challenges of this style of interaction and management? What have been the legal developments in this regard and how are those developments evaluated from the perspective of freedom of religion in the upstream documents?
Research background
Ongaro and Tantardini in "Religion and Public Administration" (2023) addressed the general issues regarding the interaction of religious institutions in America with the official administration of that country. Sedaghati and Faqih Habibi (2021) in "Administrative organization of the mosque and cement standards in Iran's legal system: contrast or symmetry?" have raised the possibility of using foundation people's organizations in mosques. Abun-Noor (2018), in a series of articles entitled "How should mosque administration be?", has stated the administrative standards and internal management of mosques in the light of the requirements of traditional jurisprudence. Keyvan Sadaghati (2013) in "The Place of the Mosque in the Legal System of Iran" tried to clarify the legal identity of the mosque by relying on some judicial opinions. Javan Arasteh (2014) in "Mosque and its management: issues and challenges", has expressed appropriate models for regulating relations between mosques and official institutions. It is noted that none of the aforementioned researches focused on the legal developments related to the internal and external management of mosques in Iran, and therefore, the present research has no background; Because in terms of the major achievements of the above-mentioned researches, he has critically evaluated them in terms of their composition and function by stating the authorities and related governmental and governmental institutions. 
Research method
The upcoming research is in the form of a library study through a descriptive and analytical review of the legal rules governing mosques, including international documents, laws, regulations, judicial procedures and Some legal opinions have been implemented.
 In addition to expressing the legal identity of mosques, this analysis can evaluate and diagnose practical issues related to their practical function and their supervision. In the upcoming research, while re-reading the executive and internal structure of mosques, the method and level of external supervision on them by government institutions will be critically evaluated. This research, using a library method and relying on domestic and foreign legal documents as well as relevant judicial procedures, tries to find clear horizons of the challenges of mosques in the light of descriptive-analytical study in this regard, along with providing practical solutions. From the total of legal developments in this regard, it appears that mosques have turned from traditional centers and generally under the management of people, authorities and communities subject to the supervision of the government. Therefore, in the process of establishing mosques and appointing the members of the board of trustees, Khadim, imam and other internal trustees, as well as in the process of monitoring their religious-social functions, the role of the government has gradually increased and between this level of management A significant relationship has been established between the government and the government on mosques and the trend of youth aversion to religion and the weakening of the social role of mosques. Therefore, a change in the type of relationship between mosques and the government and state can recreate a part of their identity and social role.
Research findings
Although it is necessary to monitor mosques by government institutions to prevent some religious deviations and to deal with religious beliefs and especially superstitions and intellectual superficialities, to promote the social-cultural function of those centers and to strengthen their structures and capacities, but the excesses of those supervisions It can strengthen the governmental process and the governmentalization of mosques, and their popular identity is overshadowed by decisions. and actions of authorities and official institutions.
This phenomenon, in the long run, and especially with the establishment of intellectual-propaganda monopoly in mosques and the targeted selection of its internal factors, can fuel the avoidance of mosques and diminish or destroy the social-intellectual effects of this important institution of the Islamic society. Considering the composition and powers of the relevant government institutions, the exclusive management of mosques in Iran in their construction, management and operation has become an undeniable phenomenon, which has a clear connection with the religious aversion of the youth.
 
Keywords
Key words: Establishment
Government
State
Mosques
Supervision
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Strategic Studies of Culture
Volume 4, Issue 4 - Serial Number 16
Winter 2024
Pages 167-197